When I first moved to New York, I lived in Washington Heights, a traditionally Dominican neighborhood in upper Manhattan with lots of life and very, very good food. In the winter, I came to crave my corner spot's maduros and mofongo, their fat shrimp, and their pork cracklings—all of which was priced perfectly for a broke just-out-of-college waiter.

When summer rolled around, the fire hydrants would gush water down the sidewalk and my neighbors would hold street barbecues that lasted until three in the morning. On those days, I was less after the rich and savory fried foods of winter; instead, I sought out the neighborhood's frozen drinks, the batidas. Chilled and shaken fruit drinks, the batidas were crucial on those days that were so hot you needed six showers. And the best batida of all was a large to-go cup of morir soñando, a frothy blend of orange juice, sugar, and evaporated milk.

That's right: orange juice and milk. To some people, that combination may sound like a nightmare—and "morir soñando" does literally translate to "to die dreaming"—but this drink is nothing to be afraid of. Just the opposite, in fact—it tastes like a melted Orange Julius, only even creamier. And juicier (thanks to the pulp from fresh oranges). And way more refreshing on a summer day.

Don't live in a Dominican neighborhood like Washington Heights? Neither do I, anymore. Luckily, morir soñandos are easy to make at home.

To make one drink, combine 1/2 cup chilled orange juice (preferably fresh-squeezed) and 2 tablespoons sugar in a cocktail shaker and stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup chilled evaporated milk and ice, cover, and shake vigorously until the outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds. Strain into a tumbler, garnish with an orange slice, and pinch yourself—you're not dreaming.